16 January 2008
‘Dating Agency’ for business launched at Old Trafford to help
North West companies compete for London 2012 contracts
A groundbreaking ‘business dating agency’ was launched to 700
companies at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium today to help
companies based in the North West compete for business
opportunities in helping to deliver the London 2012 Olympic and
Paralympic Games.
The ‘London 2012 Business Network’, live from today at www.london2012.com/business,
will help companies in the North West compete for London 2012
direct and supply chain contracts.
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and London Organising
Committee (LOCOG) expect to allocate over £6bn of work as part of
an estimated 75,000 future business opportunities covering direct
contractors and their supply chains over the coming
years.
Over 600 companies in the North West have registered to receive
e-alerts about London 2012 procurement opportunities. Even in these
early stages, when only a small proportion of contracts have been
issued, 14 companies or organisations based in the North West have
supplied the ODA.
The Network has three component parts; essential information on
upcoming opportunities and how to supply London 2012; business
events; and the new ‘CompeteFor’ service, a business ‘dating
agency’ that will match companies to thousands of opportunities
supplying London 2012 contractors. Up to a fifth of London 2012
supply chain opportunities are expected to go through the
CompeteFor system.
CompeteFor, which is co-funded by the Northwest Regional
Development Agency, will also link companies with Business Link
North West which will help boost the long-term competitiveness of
companies in the North West.
The service was launched to companies at the national launch of
London 2012 Business Network in Manchester today (16 January) and
the regional launch of the North West Business Network.
The NWDA is providing funding of £2m to support the delivery of
the London 2012 Business Network in the North West.
And through the North West Business Network the NWDA and
Business Link North West will provide a regional programme of
events giving further support to companies on areas such as health
and safety, contract negotiations and sustainable public
procurement to ensure that North West companies are equipped with
the skills and capabilities to bid and win contracts from London
2012.
Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA, said:
“The NWDA is delighted to support the London 2012 Business
Network which will play an important part in helping North West
businesses to capitalise upon the huge opportunities presented by
the London 2012 Games. We know that the extent to which the North
West’s businesses will benefit depends upon how well the region
differentiates itself and how proactive businesses are to adapt and
develop new products that align to the vision and event
requirements of London 2012.
“The legacy of the 2012 Games for the North West will be to
create new jobs and grow stronger and fitter companies that are
equipped to supply other major events and public sector
projects.
“Our experience of the Commonwealth Games, which helped to grow
and develop so many North West companies, demonstrates the powerful
impact the 2012 Games can make in the region.”
Launching the new London 2012 Business Network in Manchester,
alongside Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell and ODA Chairman John
Armitt, LOCOG Chairman Seb Coe said:
“London 2012 is already providing a unique opportunity for
businesses throughout the UK to raise their profile and reputation
on the global stage, and the amount of big sporting events coming
to the UK, as a result of us winning the right to host the Games
could make this a ‘golden decade’ for major events in the UK and,
therefore, British business.
“Delivering the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games is a massive
logistical operation, requiring goods and services from a large
number of firms. Businesses the length and breadth of the country
will win contracts and we hope gain a huge amount of experience of
what it takes to stage and host big sporting events. This should
lead to a new ‘export market’ for the UK. The success of the Sydney
Olympic Games in 2000 not only led to a large increase in direct
foreign investment in New South Wales – it also led to Australian
businesses establishing an international reputation for their
skills in delivering big global events. London 2012 gives UK
business this opportunity.
“The London 2012 Business Network will help companies compete
for the thousands of opportunities that will be available, and make
sure companies the length and breadth of the country are aware of
and can prepare for the opportunities that staging the Games in
London in 2012 will bring.”
ODA Chairman John Armitt said:
“We want London 2012 to be a showcase for both sporting and
business excellence. The ODA has already let contracts worth over
£1 billion, most of these opportunities have been won by small and
medium sized companies and around half are based outside of
London.
“The vast majority of business opportunities remain to be let
and this year represents a huge opportunity for UK
businesses. In 2007 understandably there was a lot of focus
on costs. In 2008 this will switch to the benefits this investment
will bring, including jobs and skills.
“We want to help businesses in the Northwest make the most of
the opportunities ahead. The first ever ‘business dating agency’
for suppliers on a project of this scale, which goes live today as
part of the new London 2012 Business Network, will give companies
large and small a once in a lifetime opportunity to support the
delivery of the London 2012 Games.”
Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said:
"The London 2012 Business Network will provide invaluable
support for companies and is one of the keys to unlocking the £6
billion of contracts that will be up for grabs thanks to the
Olympic and Paralympic Games. This is the concrete dividend the UK
will receive from London 2012, leaving a positive legacy for
decades to come.
"Businesses, their employees and the wider economy will all reap
the rewards. Almost all the contracts so far have gone to British
companies with a real impact right across the UK.”
The London 2012 Business Network will also provide essential
information on upcoming contract opportunities and business events
as well as an updated ODA Supplier Guide.
How CompeteFor works:
ODA and LOCOG will advertise their direct contract opportunities
online through CompeteFor and direct London 2012 contractors
appointed will be encouraged to advertise their supply chain
opportunities through the system. For example the Olympic Stadium
construction contractor ‘Team Stadium’ has opened the service with
an advert for their site accommodation cleaning contract.
Companies at every level of the London 2012 supply chain will be
encouraged to advertise their supplier opportunities through
CompeteFor.
After registering basic company information any interested
business can view the opportunities advertised. Companies can then
complete a business profile, which involves answering a series of
simple questions, to be able to compete for opportunities.
A company’s business profile is automatically tested against a
small number of minimum standards in areas such as health and
safety. If these requirements are not met the company is
automatically referred to tailored, local business support provided
by Business Link.
Once a company’s profile is successfully published on CompeteFor
they are automatically matched to opportunities which suit their
business and invited, by email, to apply for them by filling out a
short, tailored application form. The buyer advertising the
contract then selects a shortlist of companies and invites them to
formally tender through the buyer’s own procurement system.
Details of the winning bidder(s) are published on CompeteFor and
unsuccessful bidders receive feedback from the buyer. Throughout
the process local business support agencies are on hand to help
companies maximise their chances of success.
Photographs from the event are available on request.
Notes to Editors
- The London 2012 Business Network will be launched on
Wednesday morning to up to 700 businesses from the North West at a
business event at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium. To
attend please contact the ODA press office.
- The London 2012 Business Network is accessible at www.london2012.com/business
- The ODA expects to have around 2000 direct contracts which
together with their suppliers will form supply chains of around
50,000 opportunities. LOCOG expects to have around 5000 direct
contracts which together with their suppliers will form supply
chains of around 25,000 opportunities.
- CompeteFor has been developed by the LDA on behalf of the
Regional Development Agencies and Devolved Administrations of the
UK, working with London 2012 and the London Business Opportunities
Network (LBN).
- Business case studies are available from the NWRDA.
– Ends –
For further information please contact the Olympic Delivery
Authority Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 700 or visit the website
at www.london2012.com.
Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our blog http://blog.london2012.com